Prevalence of sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis at Dargai, District Malakand, Pakistan: A four year retrospective study

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis sputum smear positive (PTB-SS+ve) among the suspected TB patients at Tehsil Head Quarter (THQ) Hospital Dargai, District Malakand Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A retrospective study was designed from January 2011 to December 2014. Out of 736 registered and suspected patients of TB, (40.08%) were PTB-SS+ve, (15.63%) were PTB-SS−ve whereas the remaining cases were diagnosed with extra-pulmonary TB, hence excluded from the study. The ratio of PTB-SS+ve cases was higher in females (57.63%) compared to males (42.37%). Furthermore, in the age group <20years PTB-SS+ve cases were (34.92%), in 21–40years it was (33.90%), and in 41–60years it was (21.35%), and in >60years age group PTB-SS+ve cases were (9.83%). No difference was found in the years 2013 and 2014 regarding PTB-SS+ve cases registration. PTB still presents a serious health issue in the region and rapid prophylactic measures are needed to eradicate the issue.
Source: Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research